STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORTY AGENTS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. B. Chitra*, Juble Raju, Juby Liz Jacob and J. Marie Cathrine

ABSTRACT

Increased use of NSAIDs in geriatrics has expressed great concerns as these drugs have the potential to cause gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular adverse effects. The present study aims to evaluate the prescribing pattern of NSAIDs, analyze the rationality of prescriptions using Beers criteria 2015 and to identify the drug interactions in prescriptions using micromedex drug database. The current study was a prospective observational study which was performed in 160 patients. Geriatric patients above the age of 60 prescribed with atleast one NSAID and those willing to participate were included in the study. Potential inappropriateness was identified in 51(31.84%) prescriptions. Among the drugs prescribed to the study population diclofenac, aspirin, indomethacin, ketorolac and ibuprofen were found to be inappropriate in geriatrics as per beers criteria 2015. The study also reports that 60% of the prescriptions had drug interactions. The drugs were administered via oral, intravenous, intramuscular and topical routes. Intravenous administration (52.68%) was the most common route observed in the present study. Appropriate use of NSAIDS reduces the severity of adverse effects and thus helps in improving the quality of life in geriatric population. Knowledge on the prescribing pattern, rational use and risk factors associated with use of NSAIDS in geriatric population will help the healthcare professional to ensure safer and better treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Geriatrics, Non - steroidal anti-inflammatorty agents, Beers criteria, Gastro-intestinal toxicity.